Free Republic

Freshly sworn in Council Speaker Julie Menin on Wednesday said she’ll push to restrict protests outside synagogues and other houses of worship — as one of her first official acts of office. It comes after growing worries from the Jewish community with Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s day one move revoking or rescinding city policies aimed at combating antisemitism. Menin — who will serve as the first Jewish speaker of the legislative body — said she expressed to the mayor that there was “concern” among New York Jews over his decision to repeal or rework the executive orders issued by his predecessor...

He’s taking a left hook. State Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs’ refusal to back socialist Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral bid is turning the party’s ideological rift into a full-blown crater — as lefties call on the longtime boss to resign and moderates hail his “common sense” take. Moderate mayoral candidates Eric Adams, the incumbent, and Andrew Cuomo, the former thrice-elected Democratic governor, were among those praising Jacobs on Friday for standing up to Mamdani’s radical views. But support from the pair – who are Dems running as independents – was arguably lost in the progressive blowback against Jacobs for bucking newfound Mamdani...

Mayor Eric Adams on Friday struck a handshake deal with the City Council on a record-breaking nearly $116 billion budget — which would create a new department to regulate e-bikes, sources said. The tentative agreement includes $6.1 million for a new “Department of Sustainable Delivery,’’ which would be staffed by 60 people and dedicated to e-bike regulation and enforcement after a recent push by the Adams administration to rein in the two-wheelers. City Hall also agreed to give the council a major boost in funding for immigration services to the tune of $54.5 million, a source familiar with the deal...

Andrew Cuomo is staying on the New York City mayoral election ballot — a move that prompted critics to slam the ex-gov as a “spoiler” candidate. Sources confirmed that Cuomo will not decline to run on an independent ballot line, ahead of a Friday deadline to pull his name from the November ticket. Cuomo’s defiant stance comes as he hemorrhages union support after his stunning loss to socialist contender Zohran Mamdani in Tuesday’s Democratic primary – and amid widespread consternation that he’ll give the Queens assemblyman an easier path to Gracie Mansion. “Cuomo’s name in the race is fantastic for...